by Kira Blakely
“I didn’t want a repeat of your… squabble.”
“Squabble?” That’s the best word he can come up with?
“Neither did the Rockfords. You had to be transferred. I just offered a suggestion. Everyone seemed happy with it.”
“Everyone but me.”
His eyes meet mine. “Are you still unhappy?”
“No,” I answer. “Just confused. Like I said, I haven’t really thought about it.”
He takes another sip of wine. “Have I been distracting you?”
I chuckle. “You have such a big ego, don’t you?”
“It’s not the only thing big about me.”
I blush. “I know.”
Boy, do I know.
Just the thought of it is enough to make me feel a stronger heat than the one from the alcohol.
“Now, before you get all excited, and we get carried away, I have something to give you.” He sits up. “Close your eyes.”
“Again?”
“Unless you don’t want another surprise.”
I close my eyes, my mind racing as I try to guess what else Nathan has in store. A present, clearly. But what? A bottle of perfume? Car keys? A watch? A necklace?
A diamond ring?
I feel something thin and light on my palm.
What’s this?
“Now, open them.”
I immediately do, seeing a map in my hand.
A map?
Wait. It’s not just any map. It’s a map of… Kruger National Park.
Holy shit.
“Is this…? Are we…?”
I can’t even form sentences anymore, my excitement too much to handle.
Nathan chuckles. “That’s right, Sam. I’m going to Africa for a conference and I’m bringing you with me.” He plants a kiss on my cheek. “We’re going to Africa.”
Chapter THIRTEEN
Return to the Jungle
Africa.
The world’s second largest continent.
A vast expanse of diverse natural landscapes.
An adventurer’s paradise.
An animal lover’s dream destination.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve dreamed of coming here, of watching the lionesses hunt, of feeling the earth shaking beneath the hooves of the wildebeests and majestic elephants, of hearing the leaves in the trees rustling as the monkeys swing from branch to branch.
Now, I’m here.
Even as we enter the vast national park that is the first in South Africa and one of the largest game reserves in the continent, I still can’t believe I’m here.
Everywhere I look, my eyes grow wide with wonder, and sometimes, I have to put down my camera just so I can admire the beauty and the scenery with my own eyes and capture it in my heart.
Incredible.
“So, how does it feel to actually be looking at animals instead of just imaging people as them?” Nathan asks, breaking the silence that’s been lingering over the backseat of the jeep.
He’s been quiet mostly, but I can tell he’s been watching me.
“Great,” I answer, tucking a few strands of hair that have been floating in the breeze behind my ear. “They’re even more magnificent than I thought they’d be.”
“You haven’t been able to take your sparkling eyes off them. I’m starting to feel jealous.”
I look at him and at the pout I see on his lips, I immediately feel guilty. I’m aware I haven’t been paying much attention to him since the plane landed. And to think he’s the one who brought me here.
“I…”
“Just kidding.” He gives me a quick kiss. “I want you to have the time of your life while we’re here.”
***
“These pictures are perfect,” Nathan says as he goes through my slideshow of the day.
While Nathan is busy with his conference, I roam the park on foot, on a bicycle and in a jeep with a private guide.
Sure, I wish he were with me, seeing the things I’m seeing, but with my trusty camera for company and an endless array of landscapes and creatures to snap pictures of, I’m more than happy.
I’ve never taken so many pictures in my life, some taken carefully for my portfolio, others snapped without thinking just to capture the moment, my finger pressing the shutter on its own.
The more pictures I take, the more I realize these are the pictures I should really be taking, and the voice inside my head telling me to accept the job at the Seeker grows louder.
Why am I even hesitating? It’s what I’ve been dreaming of, right?
So what if Nathan helped me get it? I’m still qualified, and I sure as hell am going to prove I deserve the job.
But that’s not the problem. The problem is what I’ve feared all along: heartbreak.
If I accept the job, I’ll be away from Nathan most of the time. He’s busy. I’ll be busy. We’ll be miles apart. We’ll fall apart.
It’s not pessimism. It’s reality.
The question is, can I handle it?
“What’s wrong?” Nathan asks, both of us lying beneath the sheets and behind the lace canopy in our air-conditioned bedroom. No matter how tired we both are, we always make it a point to spend time with each other.
“Nothing,” I answer quickly. “Just thinking about that job offer.”
“You’re wondering if you should accept it, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” I admit with a sigh. “I was just thinking, it isn’t bad to do this on a regular basis.”
“Not bad? Wasn’t it your dream?”
“I know. It’s just…”
Should I tell him?
No. If I do, he’ll just try to encourage me to accept the job even more. Nathan isn’t the kind of man who wants to stand in the way of a woman’s dreams.
I want to make this decision on my own.
“I need more time to think about it,” I say.
“If you say so. By the way, I have something to tell you.”
“What?” Why is it that I get so jumpy each time he says that?
“There’s a party tomorrow night to wrap up the conference. I’d like to bring you.”
Bring me? To a gathering of corporate executives and their snobbish wives?
Yes, I’m used to attending parties by now. But this time, I’m not going as a photographer. I’m not covering the party.
I’m going as Nathan’s date and meeting his colleagues for the first time.
“Hey.” Nathan squeezes my tense shoulders. “It’s not the end of the world. It’s just a party. You’ve been to a lot of parties, haven’t you? Just think of this as another one.”
Yeah, right.
“Just think of the others as animals like you always do. This is Africa, after all.”
Very funny.
“You’ll be just fine.”
“I don’t know. I…” I try to come up with a hasty excuse. “I don’t have anything to wear.”
“Oh, is that all?” Nathan grins. “Don’t worry. I happen to have just the thing.”
***
He happened to have just the thing?
Just this exquisite jade gown, the color of which happens to set off my auburn hair perfectly and the size of which fits me just right? In his suitcase?
Bullshit.
Nathan planned for this party all along. He planned to show me off from the beginning.
That thought scares me even more.
I try to conceal my fear, though, as I walk into the crowded pavilion on Nathan’s arm.
Animals can smell fear.
Indeed, I’m following Nathan’s advice and thinking of them as animals again.
Lions. Leopards. Zebras. African buffalos. Hippos.
This way, I can genuinely smile at them, even though my heart is pounding like a drum and my knees are quaking beneath my gown.
Some of them smile back, though it’s probably just the Flehmen response (like when a dogs snarls, raising its upper lip) — gauging the atmosphere and smelling the air to see what’s
afoot. Others stare and watch me like monkeys with curious eyes, waiting for me to do either something spectacular or something funny. As for the rest, I swear I can hear them snarling.
I try not to mind. I’m not here to please or entertain anyone.
I’m here because Nathan asked me to be.
He leads me around the pavilion, introducing me to his colleagues and the heads of other tech companies. I get to meet some of his company’s executives for the first time, as well.
“Finally, we meet the enchanting Samantha Willis,” Shawn, the head of Nathan’s marketing department, who I liken to a baboon, says. “We’ve heard so much about you.”
Really? I didn’t know Nathan had been talking about me.
“All good things, I hope.”
“Wonderful things,” he answers, turning to the man beside him. “Right, Alfred?”
Alfred just nods. A quiet guy, uncomfortable with crowds. A cheetah?
“Alfred is the head of Tech Research,” Nathan informs me. “And this man here…” He puts his arm around the shoulder of a man with black hair and eyes. “Is my VP, Edgar Brooks. He’s been with me since I started the company.”
“Pleased to meet you.” Edgar shakes my hand.
I look at him. A jackal? Or a hawk?
“We got our MBAs together,” Edgar chips in. “I guess you can say I’m the closest thing Nathan has to a best buddy, though he’ll never admit it, of course.”
“I’ll admit that when you admit I’m better than you at golf,” Nathan says.
“Well, I’m pleased to meet you,” I tell him. “I’m glad to know Nathan has such a reliable second-in-command.”
“I like her.” Edgar grins.
Nathan clears his throat.
“I’m merely saying she’s a keeper,” Edgar clarifies.
“That she is.” Nathan smiles. “Well, enjoy the evening, gentlemen. And make sure that presentation is ready for tomorrow.”
“Of course,” Shawn answers.
“Tomorrow?” I ask as we walk away. “I thought today was the last day of the conference.”
“It is,” he confirms. “But we’re still meeting someone tomorrow.”
“I see.” I don’t know why, but I suddenly remember what Pam said. “Is it true that your company developed a program that helps track wildlife?”
Nathan seems surprised, but answers. “We did, for a wildlife conservation society. That society has since fallen apart, though, and the program is no longer in use.”
“I see. That’s unfortunate.”
“How did you know?”
“I just… stumbled across it… recently.”
Technically, that’s not a lie and thankfully, he believes me and drops the subject. “Let’s get some refreshments, shall we?”
***
The rest of the evening goes smoothly, even more smoothly than I anticipated.
Up until my stomach decides to act up and threatens to expel its contents all over my gown. Probably something I ate.
As a result, I have to leave the party early and return to the lodge. Nathan stayed because he still has some things to discuss with some people. I think it’s good that I left. I feel like I’m only getting in his way.
Thankfully, I feel better shortly after returning to the lodge. I still want to take some medicine, though, just to make sure, and so I start looking through my things.
When I don’t find any medication among my things, I look through Nathan’s.
Who knows? He might happen to have some medicine in his suitcase just like he happened to have my gown.
I don’t find any, though. He probably didn’t expect anything like this to happen.
Instead, I find an envelope.
Another envelope.
Are you fucking kidding me?
I put it down and walk away, telling myself that this time, I’m going to resist temptation, but I find myself going back. This time, there aren’t any hidden cameras and I’m just going to take a peek.
Yeah, right.
Soon, I’m reading the documents, most of them boring, but one of them catches my attention.
A receipt about the sale of rhino horns.
Shit.
So, Pam was right then? Nathan is involved in something like this?
No.
Even with the document right in front of me, I refuse to believe it.
I can’t.
I need to find out the truth for myself.
And thankfully, I just happen to be in Africa.
Chapter FOUTEEN
Taking the Bull by the Horns
I’m not an investigative journalist.
I didn’t study journalism like Pam did. I don’t own a voice recorder. I don’t know the etiquette about interviewing someone. I don’t know the first thing about conducting an investigation.
I do know how to ask questions, though, and thankfully, I read a few mystery books when I was younger, so I set out to do exactly that, eager and hoping to get some clarity.
As soon as Nathan leaves for some other business meetings, I exit the resort with my guide, Fumbe. Instead of asking him to accompany me in taking pictures, though, I ask him to help me ask questions, promising him a hefty tip.
With his help, my so-called investigation leads me to a village where I meet a European missionary named Therese shortly before noon.
The best part? She can speak my language.
“Thank you for seeing me,” I tell her as I shake her hand.
“No problem,” she says with a sweet smile. “It’s not like I have anything better to do right now. Besides, new friends are always welcome.”
She ushers me inside her hut. “Tea?”
“No, thank you.”
I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t want to risk upsetting my stomach again by trying something unfamiliar.
“How long did you say you’ve been here again?” I ask as I look around the hut.
“Eight years,” she answers. “Two in this village. We travel around.”
I nod. “That’s a long time.”
“Other missionaries have returned home, but for me, this is my home. The people here are my family.”
“It’s very kind of you to help care for them.”
She shakes her head. “It is an honor to serve.”
I pause, suddenly remembering Jack. He, too, was selfless, only intent on helping the animals.
“You said you wanted to ask some questions.”
“Yes.” Enough with the small talk and the reminiscing.
Focus, Sam. You’re conducting an investigation here.
“Have you ever heard of a company called Landers Innovations?”
“No, I’m sorry. I’ve never heard of it. Should I have?”
“It’s fine.” Next question. “Are you aware of rhino horns being sold around here?”
“Of course, I am,” Therese answers. “We’re all aware of it. We can’t do anything about it, though. The poachers… there are so many of them. And some of the rangers have been paid off, too.”
There’s a curse on the tip of my tongue, but I decide to leave it there since I’m in the presence of a missionary.
I settle for a frown. “That’s sad.”
“It truly is.”
“Do you know who pays the poachers and the rangers? Who buys the horns?”
Therese shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t. All I know is that there are many of them. They come from all over the world. They think the horns are a source of power and prestige or some sort of cure. And it’s not just the horns but the tusks, too.”
“I know. So, there are many of them? Dozens?”
She shrugs. “I fear that as long as there are rhinos and elephants, they will continue to come.”
Despicable. Don’t they know that rhinos and elephants need their horns and tusks to defend themselves? To make matters worse, most of the poachers even kill the rhinos and elephants instead of just taking their horns because that’s more c
onvenient for them.
“And no one dares stand up against them?” I ask.
Therese, too, frowns. “Like I said, there’s nothing we can do. But there was a group of people who tried to stop the poachers. I think they were vets.”
“Vets?” If I was a dog, my ears would be standing at attention.
“Veterinarians. There were about twelve of them, I think. But sadly, they all met an unfortunate end. Some say they were cursed, but I believe they were just unlucky.”
“Did you meet them?” I ask eagerly.
“I did once. In a way, they were missionaries, too. And they were a lively bunch.”
“Is this one of them?” I bring out my phone and show her the picture.
She throws me a puzzled glance. “I think so. Is he your…?”
“Brother,” I tell her. “His name was Jack Willis. He was a vet — part of a group of volunteers who came to Africa to treat sick and wounded wild animals.”
“Yes. I think that’s the same group.”
“I heard the group no longer exists. I just assumed some of them went home. But you say they all met an unfortunate end?”
“I believe so.”
“So, they all died of malaria?”
“Heavens no,” Therese tells me. “Some of them did die of sickness but some of them were killed by poachers, and I think one of them was killed by a wild animal.”
My face falls. “That’s terrible.”
“Did your brother die of a sickness?”
“Yes.” I nod slowly. “They sent his ashes home.”
“Ashes?” Therese looks surprised. “I thought they sent the bodies home. The villagers rarely burn the bodies of their dead. They do so only if there’s a serious disease or if the dead person was evil. Burning is considered dishonorable.”
I, too, am surprised. “But isn’t malaria a serious disease?”
“Not really. It is quite common. When I said serious disease, I meant Ebola or something like that.”
And yet, his ashes were sent home.
“Would you know if the bodies of the others were sent home?” I ask, more puzzled than ever.
“I’m afraid not. Maybe. Maybe they burned the bodies because they were easier to transport that way.”